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Tip

Citric acid/ vitamin c powder

Tip

Storage

You can keep the cordial in sterilised bottles in a cool, dark place for two months or in the fridge for six months. If you want to keep it longer, it can be frozen.

Tip

Sterilising

To sterilise the bottles, wash them in hot soapy water, rinse, then place on a baking sheet in a low oven to dry completely.

Method

Fill a large pan with 2 litres water.
Add the sugar, lemons, vanilla pod and
powder, and bring slowly to the boil.
Boil rapidly until the mixture has reduced
by half, then remove from the heat.

Add the elderflowers to the pan and
stir gently. Leave to cool completely,
then pass through a sieve lined with
muslin into another clean pan. Whisk in
the vanilla seeds and store the cordial
in sterilised bottles with a strip of peel
and the vanilla pod added (see tips below). To make a refreshing drink, use
1 part cordial to 5 parts iced water.

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